The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has intensified its war against intellectual property theft with a major operation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, leading to the arrest of several suspects allegedly involved in the piracy of books and other copyrighted materials. The raid, which targeted popular bookshops in the city, underscores the Commission’s determination to protect the creative industry from the growing menace of piracy.
According to officials of the NCC, the operation followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering after reports indicated that pirated academic, literary, and professional books were being openly sold in major markets and shops across Ibadan. Acting on this information, enforcement teams stormed multiple locations, confiscating large quantities of suspected pirated works and apprehending those linked to the illegal trade.
The NCC revealed that the suspects are believed to be part of a wider piracy network that thrives on the reproduction and distribution of counterfeit books, depriving authors, publishers, and legitimate retailers of revenue. Some of the seized items include textbooks commonly used in secondary schools and universities, novels, and professional handbooks, all suspected to be unauthorized reproductions.
Speaking after the operation, the Commission emphasized that piracy remains a major challenge in Nigeria’s creative and educational sectors, warning that those caught engaging in such practices would face the full weight of the law. The NCC added that the arrests should serve as a deterrent to others involved in copyright violations, stressing that enforcement will be sustained across the country.
Authors and publishers have long lamented the devastating impact of piracy on the book industry, with many arguing that it discourages creativity and undermines the publishing business. Industry stakeholders have praised the NCC’s move, describing it as a much-needed step toward sanitizing the market and encouraging respect for intellectual property rights.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court once investigations are concluded, with the NCC reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that offenders face prosecution. Officials also called on the public to support the anti-piracy campaign by reporting suspicious activities and patronizing only legitimate bookshops and distributors.
With Ibadan being one of Nigeria’s largest hubs for books and publishing, the successful raid marks a significant step in the Commission’s efforts to curb piracy. The NCC vowed that similar operations would continue nationwide as part of a broader strategy to safeguard the interests of authors, publishers, and the creative industry at large.
