13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – At least 13 people, consisting of four children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amid a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles 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 spokesman 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 been waiting considering that the previous night.

“The way they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and some of them were old,” Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one child as his mom had a hard time in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state authorities said.

“The occasion had not even begun when the rush started,” authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people shouted for assistance. A few of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, authorities said.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes items still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as families and friends collected for wedding photos.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims’ families and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety measures in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that previous permission should be obtained before such charity occasions are organized.

The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised “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 to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and tasks for youths.