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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided several bookshops in Ikeja and the Lagos suburbs of Bariga, Ikorodu, and Ikotun, seizing pirated books worth over N100 million.
The three-day operation, conducted between Friday, 3rd October, and Tuesday, 7th October, was led by the Deputy Director of Operations, NCC Lagos Office, Mr Charles Amudipe.
The enforcement exercise involved a team of Copyright Officers backed by security personnel who ensured order and compliance throughout the operation.
Director-General of the NCC, John Asein, said “he deployed the Commission’s enforcement team to dismantle piracy syndicates operating across Lagos State.”
He reiterated that government efforts to curb copyright infringements were “yielding positive results through coordinated operations via raids, arrests, and prosecution of offenders involved in the illegal reproduction, sale, and distribution of creative works.”
The Director-General emphasised that piracy remains a major threat to Nigeria’s creative industry, undermining the efforts of authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other intellectual property owners whose creativity drives the nation’s cultural and economic growth.
Asein warned that “the Commission will apply the full weight of the law against offenders,” noting that “the Copyright Act prescribes severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those found guilty of piracy.”
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 offenders.
Asein also urged the public to support the Commission by reporting cases of piracy, stressing that collective vigilance and public awareness are crucial to safeguarding intellectual property rights.
He said that the NCC remains committed to continuous advocacy, enlightenment campaigns, and capacity building for stakeholders to ensure that creators enjoy the full benefits of their labour.
The Director-General further highlighted the Commission’s digital monitoring initiatives and collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) to combat online piracy and cyber infringements.
He said “the NCC’s adoption of digital enforcement tools is part of a broader strategy to protect intellectual property in the digital era and create a secure environment for Nigeria’s creative economy to thrive.”
Director of the NCC Lagos Office, Mrs Lynda Alphaeus, said the raid formed part of the Commission’s sustained campaign against piracy nationwide.
“This raid is part of the Director-General’s mission to cleanse the market and rid the entire country of pirated books,” Alphaeus stated.
She said; “Piracy has been a major issue affecting publishers, authors, and the economy, and the Commission has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of copyright infringement.”
She explained that the operation targeted four suspected outlets in Ikeja, Bariga, Ikorodu, and Ikotun, where pirated materials were identified and seized.
Mr Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director of Operations, Lagos Office, said the operatives inspected several bookshops suspected of housing pirated books.
He explained that “although some shop owners initially attempted to resist the raid, the firm presence of security personnel ensured the exercise proceeded smoothly and without major disruptions.”
Amudipe warned that booksellers, schools, and printers found culpable in piracy would face legal sanctions, stressing that copyright infringement is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.
He noted that over the last five years, the NCC had intensified its nationwide campaign against piracy through public sensitisation, enforcement actions, and collaboration with stakeholders in the book industry.
Amudipe assured that “the Commission will continue to prosecute offenders, regardless of their status or location.”
He also called on educational institutions and booksellers to purchase books only from verified publishers and distributors, adding that “supporting authentic works helps to sustain creativity, protect authors, and promote the growth of Nigeria’s intellectual property sector.”
Special Assistant to the NCC Director-General, Mr Joni Icheka, urged citizens to see the protection of intellectual property as a collective responsibility.
“We cannot win this war alone. The cooperation of the public, publishers, and the media is crucial to curbing the menace of piracy in Nigeria,” he emphasised.
Mr Icheka reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with law enforcement agencies, professional associations, and rights owners to enhance anti-piracy operations nationwide.
“This action sends a strong signal of our determination to protect creative investments and uphold Nigeria’s reputation in the global intellectual property community,” the Special Assistant said.
PIAK