ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amid a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity events ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, 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 lots tried to get in the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually 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 stated he managed to save one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event organized by a philanthropist, the state cops said.

"The event had actually not even started when the rush started," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he stated.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for aid. A few of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities stated.

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

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

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja revealed that previous approval needs to be obtained before such charity drive are arranged.

The existing economic challenge 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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape-record low versus 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 numerous others were detained at demonstrations requiring much better chances and jobs for youths.