No fewer than 52 marriages were dissolved by courts in Omu-Aran in 2012, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Some of the reasons adduced for the dissolution included lack of love between the parties, desertion, irresponsibility and uncaring attitude.

Other reasons adduced were infidelity, cruelty, battery and drunkenness.

NAN reports that of the 86 cases filed, 30 traditional marriages were dissolved by the Area Court while the remaining 22 court marriages were dissolved by the Upper Area Court and High Court.

NAN investigation, however, revealed that incidence of marriage dissolution in the area was on the decline when compared to the 57 recorded in the 75 cases filed in 2011.

Incessant irreconcilable marriage differences, NAN also gathered, had become a source of worry to magistrates and judges.

Mr Abolade Banigbe, an Area Court judge, told NAN that in spite of the slight decrease recorded between 2011 and 2012, the trend had posed a great challenge to the judiciary within the community.

He said there was the need for government to strengthen the services of the Citizen's Mediation and Conciliation Centre, especially at the grass roots.

"It is a worrisome spate of unresolved and irreconcilable marriages differences leading to eventual dissolution, particularly at the grass roots.

"The problem is that judges have had to adjourn to allow for amicable settlement between parties on several occasions which unfortunately we can not partake in.

"I think there is urgent need to encourage and empower the mediators in Alternative Dispute Resolution Centres in the state capitals to extend their services to the rural communities.

"This will probably reduce the ugly trend of marriage dissolution being experienced in recent times," he said.

Banigbe noted that the country had been facing a lot of security challenges arising from the high number of children from broken homes engaging in crime.

"It is a problem government at all levels need to address and accord top priority to resolve the security challenges confronting the nation as we enter the new year," Banigbe said.