Fire fighters remove a charred body from a car after a bomb exploded in a crowded shopping centre in the nation’s capital Abuja on June 25, 2014. A bomb exploded in a crowded shopping centre in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, killing at least 21 people and wounding 17, police and the government said. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER

Abuja – A pressure group in Nigeria’s northern region has blamed politicians, it called “disgruntled,” for the spate of bombings that have led to the deaths of hundreds, devastating many others.

The  Northern Alternative Forum, a political pressure group, condemned Wednesday bomb blast at Emab Plaza in Abuja, which claimed more than 20 lives and injured many others.

A statement signed by the group’s  chairman, Alhaji Gidado Ibrahim said it was sad about the wanton destruction of lives and property.

He expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives and property in the attack.

Ibrahim called for the arrest and prosecution of some Nigerians accused of making inciting statements, alleging that they might be behind the attacks.

He alleged that insurgency had been hijacked by politicians and advised them to desist from making statements that were inflammatory.

“I wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to the activities of some disgruntled politicians who we believe are the brains behind the spate of bombings and killings in some parts of the country.

“They are doing this in order to cast President Goodluck Jonathan and his government in bad light ahead of the 2015 elections.

“We want Nigerians to know that what is happening in this country today is not anything about religion,’” he said.

Ibrahim recalled that some politicians had made it clear that they would make the country ungovernable if President Jonathan succeeded in 2011, calling on security agencies to beam their searchlight on politicians who consistently make inciting and unguarded utterances, to further their selfish political ambitions.

“The forum is pained by the upsurge of attacks on innocent citizens and expresses confidence in the capacity of the security forces to overcome the insurgency,” he said.

Ibrahim also expressed confidence on the ability of the security agencies to return the country to the path of peace.

He affirmed the support of the forum for President Goodluck Jonathan and his transformation agenda, adding that Nigeria would be better under his leadership.

He called on Nigerians not to be deceived, but remain focused on the achievements of the present administration.

He urged the citizens particularly northerners to cooperate with the relevant authorities to expose and shame the detractors of the administration.

A series of devastating bombings were carried out in the nations capital, Borno, Kano, Jos and Kaduna in the recent times, by the Boko Haram sect although the insurgents are yet to claim responsibility for  the recent attacks.

/NAN