The Women wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara, on Tuesday called for stiffer legislations to curb the increasing waves of rape cases across the country.

The Chairperson of the wing, Mrs Bosede Adimabua made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran.

She said the trend must be checked as it was becoming dangerous to the nation's growth and development.

Adimabua said the unabated incidences of rape, especially involving girls below the ages of 10, called for serious concern and the intervention of all.

She urged states and national assemblies to include the issue of rape under matters of national importance, and make tougher laws to discourage the act.

"Nigerian women are saddened and worried about the daily reportage of incidences of rape involving under-aged girls across the land.

"The high number of rape cases in courts is a good pointer to the fact that something urgent needed to be done; the issue has battered the image of our nation.

"I think we need to examine critically our legal provisions on rape, to remove any ambiguous clauses that may hinder investigation and quick dispensation of justice," she said.

Adimabua noted that high level of moral decadence in the society was contributing to the menace and urged parents to take control of their children.

"We have parents today who are spending money that their children cannot explain. Parents who do not care to monitor the movement of their wards.

"Indecent dressing is prevalent today in our society. Even in churches, we promote sagging, armless wedding gowns, tops and excessive display of wealth by ministers of God.

"All these constitute nuisance to the society and a stumbling block on our efforts toward the growth and development of the nation," Adimabua said.

She urged religious and traditional leaders to play the roles expected of them in reducing to the barest minimum, the incidence of rape and other vices in the society.

"The country at this time needs the prayer of religious leaders and fatherly advice of our traditional rulers to assist government in stemming this ugly trend," Adimabua said.