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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothes products distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.
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The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by regional companies, churches and people to organize charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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 Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting given that the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one baby as his mother struggled in the rise.

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

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for aid. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing products still set up within the premises.
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As the church held a marital relationship event after the crowd was left, the agony and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and pals gathered for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose stringent crowd control measures.

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

After the current disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that prior permission should be obtained before such charity drive are organized.

The existing economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s economic policies that have actually pressed the local currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at protests requiring much better opportunities and jobs for youths.