ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 kids, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the police said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were eliminated in the very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities representative Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, mentioning that some had actually been waiting given that the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to go into, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one infant as his mom struggled in the surge.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a philanthropist, the state cops said.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush began," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers investigate the event, he said.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals screamed for aid. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and released while others continue to receive treatment, police said.

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

As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce stringent crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about security procedures in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the newest disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous permission needs to be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.

The present financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "restored hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests demanding better chances and jobs for youths.