ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.
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The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amidst a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals 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, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out 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 said he handled to save one child as his mom had a hard time in the surge.

Three individuals died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

"The event had not even started when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the occurrence, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals shouted for aid. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, police stated.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding photos.
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Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety steps in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

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

The present economic difficulty 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 government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the has caused mass protests in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests requiring much better opportunities and jobs for young individuals.
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