ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 kids, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amid a growing trend by local 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 very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, police representative Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots tried to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting because the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one infant as his mom struggled in the surge.

Three individuals passed away 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 occasion had actually not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people shouted for help. Some of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to get medical care, police stated.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the properties.

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

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior consent must be acquired before such charity events are organized.

The current financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the regional currency to tape low versus 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 detained at demonstrations demanding much better opportunities and tasks for young individuals.