The Nigerian Copyright Commission has destroyed pirated books worth about N50.6m following enforcement operations in Ondo and Ekiti states.
A total of 5,061 illegal copies were confiscated from bookshops across the two states and shredded on Thursday at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps office in Akure, Ondo State.
The Director-General of the commission, Dr John Asein, who was represented at the exercise by the NCC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs Oluropo Oke, said the seized books were recovered during raids carried out on nine outlets.
He explained that two of the affected shops were located in Ado-Ekiti, two in Akure, while five others were in Ondo town.
Asein noted that the destruction of the materials was ordered to ensure the pirated books did not return to circulation after seizure.
According to him, the offenders had already been sanctioned in line with the law, including the forfeiture of the illegal copies and payment of fines to the Federal Government.
The NCC boss cautioned members of the public to buy books only from recognised authors, publishers and reputable bookshops, advising against patronage of roadside vendors and unauthorised dealers.
He said book piracy posed a serious threat to the creative industry and the economy, as it discouraged creativity, deprived rights holders of income, promoted substandard materials and undermined national development, while also commending the NSCDC for its support in the operation.
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