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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 kids, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing items dispersed at annual Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.
The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amid a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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Ten individuals 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, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting given that the previous night.
"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one infant 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 charity event organized by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.
"The event had not even started when the rush began," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as the occurrence, he said.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people shouted for aid. A few of the injured have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, cops stated.
The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the premises.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and buddies collected for wedding event photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose strict crowd control measures.
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the most recent disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that previous permission must be acquired before such charity drive are organized.
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The current economic 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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at protests requiring better chances and jobs for young people.