The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has carried out a raid on several bookshops in Ibadan, Oyo State, for selling pirated books. Some suspects were arrested, and many shops were sealed.
The operation took place on Saturday and was led by the Oyo State Coordinator of the NCC, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, with help from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Shops sealed during the raid include Genesis, God’s Grace, Idera, Ireti-Olu, Oluseyi, and Blessings Bookshops. These are located in areas such as Beere, Oritamerin, Dugbe, Gbagi, and Agbeni.
Oke explained that the raid was part of efforts to stop piracy, especially during the school season when book demand is high.
“We check the books sellers display, where they get them from, and make sure they are not pirated. The Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, has zero tolerance for piracy because it denies authors and publishers their rightful income,” she said.
She warned that shop owners or sellers who block enforcement officers will be prosecuted.
Oke added that many of the shops visited had no proper records of purchase or receipts showing titles and authors of books bought.
“Some receipts only showed the total amount paid without listing details.
That’s suspicious, and they must explain it,” she said.
She also said that excuses like
“publishers did not make books available” cannot justify selling pirated copies.
“Piracy kills creativity, damages the economy, and brings in substandard books.
Whether or not publishers supply enough books, sellers must not sell pirated ones,” Oke warned.
She confirmed that all suspects arrested will face prosecution under the law.