ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four kids, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had actually been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one baby as his mother had a hard time in the surge.

Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a benefactor, the state cops stated.

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

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for assistance. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, cops said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes items still set up within the facilities.

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

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that prior approval must be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The present financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at protests demanding better chances and jobs for young people.