ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothes items dispersed at annual Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed 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 declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.

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

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

Three people passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

"The event had actually not even started when the rush started," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.

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

The church canceled the charity drive 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 agony and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety steps in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja revealed that previous authorization must be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The current economic 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 government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the local currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were detained at demonstrations requiring much better opportunities and tasks for youths.