NCC Raids Ibadan Bookshops, Arrests Suspects Over Pirated Books

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has sealed several bookshops in Ibadan, Oyo State, and arrested multiple suspects over the sale of pirated books.

The operation, carried out on Saturday across Beere, Oritamerin, Dugbe, Gbagi and Agbeni areas, was led by the Oyo State Coordinator of the commission, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, with support from operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Among the outlets shut down were Genesis, God’s Grace, Idera, Ireti-Olu, Oluseyi and Blessings Bookshops.

Speaking after the raid, Oke said the clampdown was part of NCC’s renewed drive to curb piracy, particularly during the school season when demand for books is high.

“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 disclosed that many of the targeted shops failed to provide proper receipts or purchase records for their inventory, describing such practices as suspicious.

“Some receipts we saw only showed the total amount of books purchased without listing titles or authors. That’s a sign of shady practices, and they must explain their records,” Oke said.

She warned booksellers that excuses about scarcity of genuine titles would not justify trading in pirated works.

“Piracy kills creativity, hurts the economy, and promotes substandard books. Whether or not publishers meet demand, booksellers must not turn to pirated copies,” she added.

The NCC confirmed that suspects arrested in the operation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Saturday’s enforcement exercise follows a similar raid in November 2024, when the commission stormed Ajegunle, Lagos, seizing pirated books worth about ₦20 million from multiple shops.

The NCC has intensified its anti-piracy campaign in recent years, warning that offenders, regardless of status or location, will face prosecution.