IN a renewed offensive against piracy, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) raided two bookshops in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja, confiscating 1,492 suspected pirated books valued at about Nine Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N9.6 Million) and arresting two suspects.

The raid, which took place between May 14 and 17, 2024, was carried out by NCC Operatives, backed by armed policemen. The bookshops raided were Nelly Bookshop and D-Law Bookshop in Gwarimpa F.C.T Abuja.
Some of the suspected pirated titles confiscated included New Oxford English for Primary and Secondary Schools, Vocational Studies textbook for Primary and Secondary Schools and several other titles belonging to University Press and other publishers.

Deputy Director, Operations and leader of the raid, Mr. Usang Bassey, in a post operation speech, noted that the Commission is committed to reduce piracy to the barest minimum and that the operation will be sustained and that other outlets selling copyright pirated works will be raided.
The first raid carried out on May 14th resulted in the confiscation of 561 suspected infringing copies valued at N3.6 million, with two suspects arrested. A follow-up operation on May 17th led to the seizure of 931 suspected infringing textbooks worth N6 million.

Mr. Bassey stated that investigations are ongoing, and the arrested suspects will be prosecuted once concluded. He warned pirate and their accomplices to desist, as the full wrath of the law will be applied to them once they are apprehended.

Amos Abutu
For: Director-General