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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, 4 children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothes items dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the police said Saturday.
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The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country 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, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.
"The method they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one infant as his mom had a hard time in the surge.
Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.
"The event had not even started when the rush started," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.
Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals yelled for help. Some of the injured have actually been treated and released while others continue to get healthcare, authorities said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the properties.
As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce stringent crowd control steps.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about security procedures in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the latest disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior permission should be obtained before such charity drive are organized.
The existing financial challenge 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 financial policies that have actually pressed the local currency to record low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at protests demanding much better chances and jobs for youths.
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13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At
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