13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – At least 13 people, including 4 children, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional companies, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights 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, 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 tried to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting given that the previous night.

“The way they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old,” Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one baby as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.

“The event had not even started when the rush began,” cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people shouted for help. A few of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the premises.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event pictures.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims’ households and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose rigorous crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such occasions. 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 newest disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous consent must be acquired before such charity drive are organized.

The current financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured “renewed hope” when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass protests in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at protests requiring better chances and tasks for youths.