ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of four children, 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 country, amid a growing trend by local organizations, churches and people to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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 spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, including 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 enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.

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

Three people passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state police said.

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

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for assistance. Some of the injured have been dealt with and released while others continue to get medical care, authorities said.

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

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

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about safety procedures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior permission must be obtained before such charity drive are organized.

The existing financial hardship 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 economic policies that have pressed the local currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at demonstrations requiring better chances and tasks for young people.