Children among 13 killed in stampedes at food, clothing collection events in Nigeria

At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas events, police said Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa's most populous country, amid a growing trend by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity events ahead of Christmas, as the country struggles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the first stampede early Saturday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the church, she said.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said. Some had been waiting since the previous night, they added.

"The way they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," said Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people died in a similar crush later in Okija, a town in the southeastern state of Anambra, at a charity event organized by a philanthropist, the state police said.

"The event had not even started when the rush began," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. The death toll could grow as officers investigate the incident, he said.

Stampedes raise safety questions

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people shouted for help. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, police said.

The church cancelled the charity event, with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the premises.

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy to the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd-control measures.

The stampedes have raised questions about safety measures at such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest disaster, police in Abuja announced that permission must be obtained before such charity events are organized.

The current economic hardship under Tinubu — who promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn in as president in May 2023 — is blamed on surging inflation, which is at a 28-year high, and economic policies that have pushed the local currency to a record low against the U.S. 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 of others were arrested at protests demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.