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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional companies, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals 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, police representative Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, mentioning that some had been waiting since the previous night.

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

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

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

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for help. A few of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, authorities stated.

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

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness remained 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 stringent crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety steps in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation a well-attended funfair to disperse gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior approval needs to be acquired before such charity events are arranged.

The current financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored 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 pressed the regional currency to tape-record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at protests demanding much better chances and tasks for young people.