OPERATIVES of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Port Harcourt Office have confiscated over N2.2 million worth of suspected pirated broadcast contrivances in Port Harcourt in a copyright anti-piracy operation carried out on 11th November 2022 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Director, Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Collins Nweke who revealed this said the anti-piracy operation was targeted at illegal cable broadcast outlets in the Port Harcourt metropolis.
Two suspects were arrested in the course of the operation while the third suspect arrested at Bundu Waterside escaped from the team through a violent resistance by youths in the vicinity.
The operations were carried out in the Borokiri and Bundu areas of Port Harcourt in collaboration with Multichoice Nigeria, with security backup by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The DPO explained that the NCC operation was in response to a complaint filed by Multichoice Nigeria, the operators of DSTV, alleging illegal redistribution of its broadcast content by suspected pirates to subscribers on commercial basis.
The base station used for the illegal distribution of broadcast content were dismantled at the 3 locations while contrivances used in carrying out the illegal activities, estimated at a market value of two million, two hundred thousand Naira (N2, 200,000) were confiscated.
Intelligence report indicated that the 3 suspects had a combined customer base of over 5,000 subscribers.
The two arrested suspects were taken to the office of NSCDC for detention and debriefing
