ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothes items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The two came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the country struggles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people 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 spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the church.

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

"The method they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one child as his mom struggled in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities said.

"The event had not even begun when the rush started," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for aid. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the properties.

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control steps.

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

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

The existing 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 financial policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape-record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and tasks for young people.