ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were eliminated in the 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 stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting because 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 save one child as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state police stated.

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

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for aid. A few of the injured have been treated and discharged while others to get treatment, cops said.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding pictures.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about security procedures in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization needs to be acquired before such fundraiser are arranged.

The current financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 federal government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at protests requiring much better opportunities and jobs for youths.