ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 kids, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothes products dispersed at annual Christmas events, the police said Saturday.
The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing trend by regional companies, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops representative Josephine Adeh stated 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 premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.
"The method they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one baby as his mom had a hard time in the rise.
Three individuals died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a benefactor, the state cops stated.
"The event had not even begun when the rush started," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.
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Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for aid. Some of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to receive medical care, authorities said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing items still organized within the facilities.
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As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding pictures.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce stringent crowd control steps.
The recent in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security steps in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
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After the most recent catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior consent should be obtained before such charity drive are arranged.
The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising 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 led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were jailed at demonstrations demanding much better chances and jobs for youths.