ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including four kids, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the police said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had actually been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one child as his mom struggled in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush began," authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for help. Some of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to receive treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes items still arranged within the premises.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and buddies gathered for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose stringent crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about safety procedures in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most current disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that previous authorization should be obtained before such charity events are organized.

The current economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape-record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at protests requiring much better chances and jobs for youths.