ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were killed 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 spokesman Josephine Adeh stated 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 tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one infant as his mother struggled in the rise.

Three people died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a benefactor, the state police stated.

"The event had not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and released while others continue to receive healthcare, authorities stated.

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

As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding event .

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

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

After the newest catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that prior approval needs to be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

The current financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed 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 financial policies that have pushed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

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