… 5,061 Illegal Copies Seized From Nine Bookshops
… Commission Vows Tougher Crackdown On Piracy
… Offenders Fined, Materials Forfeite
Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian Copyright Commission has intensified its nationwide anti-piracy campaign with the destruction of 5,061 pirated books valued at N50.6m seized from bookshops across Ondo and Ekiti states.
The illegal publications were publicly shredded on Thursday at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps office in Akure, Ondo State, in an exercise led by the NCC Director-General, Mr John Asein, who was represented by the Oyo State Coordinator of the commission, Mr Oluropo Oke.
Asein disclosed that the books were confiscated during coordinated enforcement operations in nine bookshops two in Ado-Ekiti, two in Akure and five in Ondo town following intelligence reports of widespread circulation of pirated materials.
He said the destruction was carried out to prevent the seized items from re-entering the market, stressing that offenders had already faced sanctions in line with the law.
“The seized books have been shredded because we don’t want them to be recirculated. Those caught have forfeited the materials and paid the necessary fines to the Federal Government,” he said.
The NCC boss warned that piracy posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s publishing and creative industries, noting that it robs authors and publishers of legitimate income, promotes the spread of substandard materials and undermines the nation’s economy.
He urged Nigerians to buy books only from recognised authors, publishers and reputable outlets, rather than patronising roadside vendors and illegal sellers.
“If you want to buy books, buy from credible sources. Piracy kills creativity and discourages investment in knowledge production,” Asein said.
He commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for its support, adding that the Nigerian Copyright Act empowered the commission to arrest, prosecute and punish individuals involved in copyright infringement.
The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to sustained enforcement nationwide, warning that operators in the piracy value chain would continue to face stiff penalties as the agency ramps up efforts to protect intellectual property rights.
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