Copyright commission confiscates N100m pirated books in Lagos

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided several bookshops across Lagos State, confiscating pirated books valued at over N100 million. The raids led by Mr. Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director of Operations, NCC Lagos Office.  Were carried out in the Ikeja, Bariga, Ikorodu, and Ikotun areas of the state. According to the Director-General of the NCC, […]

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided several bookshops across Lagos State, confiscating pirated books valued at over N100 million.

The raids led by Mr. Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director of Operations, NCC Lagos Office.

 Were carried out in the Ikeja, Bariga, Ikorodu, and Ikotun areas of the state.

According to the Director-General of the NCC, Dr. John Asein, the commission deployed its enforcement team to dismantle networks of piracy syndicates across Lagos State.

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He reiterated that government efforts to curb copyright infringement are yielding positive results through coordinated operations, including raids, arrests, and prosecution of offenders involved in the illegal reproduction, sale, and distribution of creative works.

The Director-General emphasized that piracy remains a major threat to the nation’s creative industry, undermining the efforts of authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other intellectual property owners whose hard work and innovation drive Nigeria’s cultural and economic growth.

Dr. Asein stressed that the commission will apply the full weight of the law against offenders.

He revealed that seized pirated materials are routinely destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market, thereby sending a strong message of deterrence to potential offenders.

The Director of the NCC Lagos Office,  Lynda Alphaeus said the raid formed part of the commission’s sustained campaign against piracy across the country.

“This raid is part of the Director-General’s mission to cleanse the market and rid the entire country of pirated books.

 

 

 

 “Piracy has been a major issue affecting publishers, authors, and the economy, and the Commission maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of copyright infringement,” she added.

 

 

 

According to her, the operation targeted four suspected outlets, where bookshops were inspected for pirated materials, which were subsequently seized.