ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including four children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.
The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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Ten individuals were eliminated 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 spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement, 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 tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting since the previous night.
"The way they were rushing to enter, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one infant as his mother had a hard time in the surge.
Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state cops said.
"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the occurrence, he said.
Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for help. A few of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.
The church canceled the charity occasion with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the properties.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding pictures.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to impose control procedures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety procedures in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the most recent disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that previous authorization must be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.
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The present financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at demonstrations requiring much better opportunities and tasks for young people.
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