ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of four kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time 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 declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried 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 considering that the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one child as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people passed away in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

"The event had actually not even begun when the rush started," authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the event, he said.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for aid. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged while others continue to get medical care, authorities stated.

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

As the church held a marital relationship event after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to implement rigorous crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security measures in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that previous consent needs to be obtained before such charity drive are organized.

The existing economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 economic policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

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