ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including four children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas events, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country 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 spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to enter, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one child as his mom struggled in the surge.

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

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

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for assistance. A few of the injured have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, police said.

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

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose stringent crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety steps in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous consent needs to be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.

The current economic challenge 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 financial policies that have pushed the local currency to tape low against the dollar.

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