ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, consisting of 4 kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothes products distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange charity events ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles 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 said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had actually been waiting since the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to go into, 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 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 drive organized by a benefactor, the state police stated.

"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths taped as officers examine the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and released while others continue to get healthcare, police stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing products still organized within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as families and good for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control steps.

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

After the latest catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that previous consent needs to be gotten before such fundraiser are organized.

The existing financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have pushed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.