13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothes items distributed at annual Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh stated 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 lots tried to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, stated, explaining that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

“The way they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and a few 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 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 police stated.

“The event had actually not even begun when the rush began,” cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers investigate the event, he stated.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for assistance. Some of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to get medical care, authorities stated.

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

As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as families and good friends gathered for wedding images.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims’ families and asked states and pertinent authorities to impose rigorous crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety measures in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the newest catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that prior authorization needs to be obtained before such charity occasions are arranged.

The existing economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised “renewed hope” when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the local currency to record low versus 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 demonstrations demanding much better opportunities and tasks for youths.