The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated pirated books valued at over N5 million following a raid on bookshops and printing outlets in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The operation, carried out during a monitoring and enforcement exercise, led to the seizure of 1,133 suspected pirated books and the arrest of one suspect.
Benue State Coordinator of the NCC, Thomas Mgbangun, who led the enforcement team, said the raid targeted business outlets suspected of dealing in counterfeit educational materials.
The team comprised six NCC officers, security operatives, journalists, and representatives of Metropolitan Publishers Limited, University Press Limited, and Learn Africa Plc.
According to Mgbangun, the team visited three bookshops and seven printing outlets across the Makurdi metropolis. Pirated books were recovered from two bookshops and a printing press during the exercise.
Mgbangun warned individuals and businesses involved in the production, sale, or distribution of pirated materials to desist from the illegal trade or risk prosecution.
“Piracy is a serious crime that undermines creativity and discourages intellectual effort.
“We will continue to go after offenders and ensure they face the full weight of the law,” Mgbangun said.