The massive deployment orchestrated by the Deputy Director and Head of Operations of the Lagos Office, Charles Amudipe, involved a team of copyright officers, supported by security agents.
Speaking recently, the Director of the Lagos Office, Lynda Alphaeus, who represented the Director-General of the NCC, Dr. John Asein, stressed that the operation was part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to combat piracy across the country.
“This raid is part of the Director-General’s mission to clean up the market and rid the entire country of pirated books,” Alphaeus said.
She stressed that piracy was a major problem affecting publishers, authors and the economy, and that the Commission had a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of copyright infringement.
Five suspected outlets located on Ojora Lane and Calabar Road in the Ajegunle area of Lagos were targeted during the operation.
“During the operation, we inspected several bookstores and storage warehouses suspected of having pirated books around the Ajegunle market. Items identified as pirated materials were seized,” she added.
Some shop owners tried to resist the NCC officials but the support of the security forces ensured that the situation was managed peacefully.
Alphaeus noted that this enabled the team to carry out the operation without major disruption. She warned booksellers, schools and printers against getting involved in piracy.
“Piracy is a punishable offence and anyone found guilty will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she stressed.
Over the past five years, the Commission has stepped up its crackdown on piracy, she said. No effort will be spared to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime, regardless of their status or location. Alphaeus urged operators to ensure that they only stock genuine products.
In the interest of transparency and respect for copyright, the authorities have taken firm action to put an end to these practices that are harmful to the publishing industry and the economy as a whole. This initiative is part of an ongoing fight to protect authors’ rights and promote creativity and innovation in the publishing sector.