At least 13 people were killed in two separate incidents in Nigeria on Saturday as large crowds, mostly women and children, fought for gifts distributed by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama and a local official in Okija, northeastern Nigeria, local authorities reported.
In the capital, Abuja, at least 10 people died, with many more injured, said police spokeswoman Josephine Ade, adding that the stampede began at 6:30 AM local time. Among the dead were four children, with eight others injured, Ade confirmed.
The stampede also occurred in Okija, in the southeastern state of Anambra, where a local leader was handing out gifts such as rice, oil, and money. Local police reported that at least three people were killed, though witnesses and Amnesty International Nigeria claim the number is closer to 20.
In both cases, the victims were primarily women and children, according to Reuters. The tragic events highlight the dangers of overcrowded charity events, where chaos often erupts during large-scale distributions.
