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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing items dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.
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"The method they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one baby as his mom struggled in the rise.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event organized by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.

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

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people screamed for help. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, authorities said.

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

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

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

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

After the current catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior permission must be obtained before such charity occasions are organized.
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The existing financial hardship 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 economic policies that have pushed the local currency to record low against the dollar.

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