ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 children, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.
The two accidents came days after another such
stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the
nation struggles 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, cops representative Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.
"The way they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mother struggled in the surge.
Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.
"The event had not even started when the rush began," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for aid. Some of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get treatment, police said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing products still set up within the premises.
As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as households and friends collected for wedding photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to impose strict crowd control procedures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about safety procedures in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the most recent disaster, the police in Abuja announced that previous authorization needs to be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.
The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 financial policies that have actually pressed the regional currency to tape low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests requiring much better chances and jobs for young people.
