NCC seals off Ibadan bookshops, arrests suspects over pirated books

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided several bookshops in Ibadan, Oyo State, sealing outlets and arresting suspects for selling pirated books.

The operation, conducted on Saturday in areas such as Beere, Oritamerin, Dugbe, Gbagi, and Agbeni, was led by the Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, with support from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Shops sealed include Genesis, God’s Grace, Idera, Ireti-Olu, Oluseyi, and Blessings Bookshops, among others.

Oke explained that the exercise was part of the NCC’s mandate to curb piracy, especially during the school season when book demand increases. She stressed that the commission’s Director-General, Dr. John Asein, maintains a zero-tolerance stance against piracy, noting that it robs authors and publishers of their rightful earnings.

According to her, many of the raided shops lacked proper purchase records, with receipts failing to indicate book titles or authors, a clear sign of illegitimate transactions. She warned that excuses about publishers failing to supply books would not justify the sale of pirated copies.

“Piracy destroys creativity, damages the economy, and promotes substandard works. Sellers and owners who obstruct enforcement will be prosecuted,” Oke warned.

She assured that all suspects arrested would face prosecution in line with the law.