13 children were killed in a stampede during a food and clothing collection in Nigeria

At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in two separate stampedes after a large crowd gathered to collect food and clothing distributed during the annual Christmas celebrations, Nigerian police said on Saturday.

The two accidents came just days after another such stampede in Africa’s most populous nation, amid a trend of local organizations, churches and individuals organizing charity events ahead of Christmas as the country grapples with its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. .

Police spokeswoman Josephine Adeh said in a statement that ten people were killed in the first stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, early on Saturday. According to him, more than 1000 people were evacuated from the church.

Witnesses said a crowd formed at one of the church doors as dozens of people tried to enter the building around 4 a.m., hours before the gifts were to be distributed. Some had been waiting since the night before, they said.

“On the way they rushed in, some people fell down and some were elderly,” said witness Loveth Inyang. Inyang said he was able to save a baby while its mother was struggling in the waves.

Three people were later killed in a similar attack at a charity event organized by a philanthropist in Okija, southeastern Anambra state, the state police said.

Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said, “When the rush started, the incident had not yet started.” The death toll could rise as officers investigate the incident, he said.

Crowds raise safety questions

Viral footage from the scene in Abuja showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people screamed for help. According to the police, some of the injured have been treated and released, while others continue to receive medical attention.

The church canceled the charity event, with bags of rice and clothing items still placed in the building.

After the crowd was evacuated, the anguish and sadness was palpable even as the church held a wedding ceremony and families and friends gathered for wedding photos.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and asked the states and relevant authorities to take serious measures against the crowd.

The crowds have raised questions about security measures at such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended fun fair to distribute gifts and food to children in southwest Oyo state.

After the recent disaster, the Abuja police announced that permission must be obtained before organizing such charity events.

The current economic woes under Tinubu, who promised “new hopes” when he was sworn in as president in May 2023, have been linked to rising inflation at a 28-year high and economic policies that have devalued the local currency. Record low against the US dollar.

Frustration over the cost of living crisis has led to mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds arrested during protests demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.