ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 kids, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people 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, police representative Josephine Adeh said in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to get in the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a benefactor, the state authorities said.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for aid. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and released while others continue to get healthcare, cops stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing products still set up within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose strict crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior approval must be obtained before such charity drive are organized.

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

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and tasks for youths.