The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has intensified its anti-piracy campaign with a major operation in Lagos that led to the confiscation of pirated books valued at over ₦100 million.
The three-day raid, which took place between October 3 and 7, 2025, targeted commercial areas in Ikeja, Bariga, Ikorodu, and Ikotun.
It was coordinated by the Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Charles Amudipe, under the supervision of the Lagos Office Director, Mrs. Lynda Alphaeus, with support from security agencies.
According to the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. John Asein, the Lagos operation forms part of a nationwide campaign to dismantle piracy networks and protect the rights of Nigerian authors, publishers, and other creative industry stakeholders.
Dr. Asein said the Commission will continue to deploy enforcement teams across the country to track, arrest, and prosecute individuals and groups engaged in the illegal reproduction and sale of copyrighted works.
“Piracy is a serious economic crime that threatens our creative industry, discourages innovation, and denies legitimate creators the rewards of their labour,” he said, adding that the NCC remains committed to ensuring offenders face the full weight of the law.
He noted that seized pirated materials are routinely destroyed to prevent their re-entry into the market and to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Commission, he said, is expanding its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Customs Service, and Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) to strengthen enforcement both offline and online.
Mrs. Alphaeus described the Lagos raid as part of the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy towards piracy, emphasizing that several bookshops suspected of selling pirated educational and literary materials were targeted.
“This raid is part of the Director-General’s directive to cleanse the market and rid the country of pirated books.
Piracy remains a major issue affecting publishers, authors, and the entire book value chain,” she said.
Providing details, Mr. Amudipe revealed that the enforcement team seized large quantities of pirated books, noting that some traders initially resisted but were subdued by security operatives.
He warned that any bookseller, school, or printer found guilty of copyright violations would face legal consequences.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the DG, Mr. Joni Icheka, urged the public to see intellectual property protection as a shared responsibility.
He said the operation demonstrates the NCC’s determination to safeguard creative investments and uphold copyright integrity in Nigeria.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo