ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four kids, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.
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The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people 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, Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 people have actually been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

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

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

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people shouted for aid. A few of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.

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

As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as households and pals collected for wedding event photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about security procedures in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja announced that previous permission needs to be obtained before such charity drive are arranged.
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The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace 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 led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at protests demanding much better opportunities and jobs for youths.
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