13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – At least 13 people, consisting of four children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by regional organizations, 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, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting since the previous night.

“The way they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old,” Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one child as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

“The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush started,” police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals shouted for assistance. A few of the injured have been dealt with and released while others continue to receive treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the premises.

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

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims’ households and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement rigorous crowd control measures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety measures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional structure organized a well-attended funfair to items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that previous authorization should be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

The present financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised “restored 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 financial policies that have pushed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for young individuals.