The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided several bookshops in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the sale of pirated books, leading to arrests and the sealing of multiple outlets.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the operation, conducted on Saturday, was led by the Oyo State Coordinator of the NCC, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, with support from operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Bookshops sealed during the raid include Genesis, God’s Grace, Idera, Ireti-Olu, Oluseyi, and Blessings Bookshops, among others, located in Beere, Oritamerin, Dugbe, Gbagi, and Agbeni areas of the city.
Oke said the raid was part of the commission’s efforts to curb piracy, especially during the back-to-school season when demand for books surges.
> “We check what sellers display, their sources of supply, and ensure they do not stock pirated works. The Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, has zero tolerance for piracy because it denies authors and publishers their rightful benefits,” she stated.
She warned that booksellers and shop owners who obstruct enforcement officers would face prosecution.
Oke noted that many shops lacked proper purchase records, receipts, or documentation for their stock, raising suspicions of illegal practices.
“Some of the receipts we saw only showed the total amount of books purchased without listing titles or authors. That’s a sign of shady practices. They must explain their records,” she added.
She stressed that excuses about publishers or authors not meeting market demand cannot justify the sale of pirated books.
> “Piracy kills creativity, hurts the economy, and promotes substandard books. Whether or not publishers meet demand, booksellers must not turn to pirated copies,” she warned.
Oke assured that suspects arrested during the operation would be prosecuted in line with the law.
This raid follows a similar operation in November 2024, when the NCC stormed several bookshops in the Ajegunle area of Lagos, seizing pirated books worth about ₦20 million. The Lagos raid, led by the Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Charles Amudipe, also faced resistance from some shop owners but was completed with security support.
The NCC reiterated that piracy is a punishable offence and urged booksellers nationwide to stock only genuine products. Over the past five years, the Commission has intensified its anti-piracy drive and vowed to prosecute offenders regardless of their status or location.
