NCC, NSCDC Seal Five Bookshops in Ondo Over Piracy

No fewer than five bookshops were sealed and four suspects arrested in Ondo town, Ondo State, on Tuesday for allegedly selling pirated books.

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), carried out a raid on several stores said to be used for stocking pirated books and stationeries.

Books worth millions of naira were confiscated during the operation. The sealed bookshops include DSF Central Bookshop, Great Mandela Bookshop, Ejisco Bookshop, and Omega Bookshop, all located along Palace Road in Ondo City.

Speaking after the raid, Mrs. Oke Oluropo, State Coordinator of the NCC (Ibadan office), stressed that there are clear differences between original and pirated copies, warning that piracy remains a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy.

Some of the suspects, however, denied the allegations, claiming that they were operating legally.

Head of Operations, NCC Abuja office, Oluwafemi Ajala, explained that the arrests followed days of intelligence-led investigation.

He added that the suspects would be profiled and charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.