ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing pattern 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 people were eliminated 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 said in a declaration, including 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 dozens tried to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mom struggled in the surge.

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

"The event had not even begun when the rush began," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the incident, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people screamed for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the premises.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as families and good friends collected for wedding photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce stringent crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that previous consent needs to be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

The current financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed 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 pressed the regional currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at demonstrations demanding much better opportunities and jobs for youths.