ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.
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The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

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

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

"The way they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one child as his mother had a hard time in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.
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"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush started," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people shouted for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and released while others continue to get treatment, cops stated.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing products still set up within the premises.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding pictures.
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Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose strict crowd control steps.

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

After the most recent catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous consent should be obtained before such charity occasions are organized.

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

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and tasks for young individuals.