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NCC Storms Ibadan Bookshops, Arrests Suspects in Major Piracy Crackdown

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Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken strong action against book piracy in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a major operation, enforcement officers from the commission raided several bookshops suspected of selling pirated educational and literary materials. The raid led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the seizure of thousands of illegal books.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This development highlights the growing efforts of the NCC to fight intellectual property theft in Nigeria’s publishing industry. Piracy has long been a serious problem in the country, costing authors, publishers, and the education sector billions of naira every year.

NCC Moves Against Book Pirates

According to officials, the raid was part of a nationwide crackdown on piracy aimed at protecting the rights of authors and publishers. The NCC said that Ibadan was chosen for the operation because of rising reports that the city had become a hub for pirated books, especially academic textbooks used by schools and universities.

During the raid, NCC officers, working with security agencies, stormed major book markets and retail shops. Several shop owners and workers were caught selling unauthorized copies of textbooks, literature, and professional books. These materials were produced without the consent of the original copyright holders.

Suspects in Custody

The NCC confirmed that the suspects arrested during the raid are now in custody and will face prosecution. The commission warned that anyone found guilty of book piracy under Nigerian law could face heavy fines, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.

An NCC spokesperson said: “This operation shows our commitment to protecting the creative industry. We will not allow the hard work of authors and publishers to be stolen by criminals who only care about profit.”

The Cost of Book Piracy in Nigeria

Book piracy has remained a threat to Nigeria’s education sector for decades. Publishers lose revenue, authors are discouraged from writing, and students are often left with poor-quality copies. Original textbooks, which require investment to produce, are replaced by fake versions that are sold cheaply in markets.

Experts say this practice not only weakens the publishing industry but also reduces the quality of education. Many pirated books contain errors, missing pages, and poor printing, which can mislead students.

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has repeatedly called on the government to step up enforcement against piracy. According to them, unless stronger measures are taken, the book industry in Nigeria may continue to decline.

NCC’s Nationwide Campaign

The raid in Ibadan is not an isolated incident. In recent years, the NCC has carried out several similar operations across Nigeria, targeting shops, warehouses, and printing presses involved in piracy. The commission has also increased public awareness campaigns to educate students, teachers, and book buyers about the dangers of buying pirated materials.

Officials have encouraged Nigerians to always buy books from authorized sellers and to support local authors by rejecting pirated copies.

Authors Applaud the Raid

Many Nigerian authors have praised the NCC for taking action. Some writers say piracy has made it difficult for them to earn a living from their work. By cracking down on pirates, the NCC is helping restore confidence in the industry.

An Ibadan-based author said: “For too long, piracy has killed the joy of writing in Nigeria. This raid is a step in the right direction, and we hope it will continue.”

A Call for Stronger Laws

While the NCC has been active in enforcement, stakeholders believe that stronger laws and stricter penalties are needed. They argue that pirates often return to business after raids because the punishment is not strong enough to discourage them.

Education experts are also calling for collaboration between schools, universities, and the government. They suggest that institutions should work with publishers to make books more affordable and accessible so that students are not tempted to buy pirated copies.

Looking Ahead

The NCC has promised that the fight against piracy will not stop with Ibadan. More raids are expected in other major Nigerian cities. The commission is also considering new digital tools to monitor piracy online, as many fake books are now being sold through social media and e-commerce platforms.

The recent raid sends a strong warning to pirates across Nigeria that the era of operating freely is coming to an end. It also gives hope to authors, publishers, and students who rely on quality books for education and knowledge.

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Crime

Phil Foden Declares Legal War Over “Sickening” Fake News About His Children.

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Manchester City star Phil Foden has taken legal steps after malicious online rumours about his children went viral, sparking concern among fans and outrage from his family.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Nivo News, the England midfielder became a victim of false social media claims alleging that one of his children had died while another was diagnosed with cancer. The fabricated posts, featuring AI-generated images of Foden and his partner, Rebecca Cooke, appearing distraught, spread rapidly across platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Sources disclosed that Foden’s management team has enlisted a top legal firm to identify the individuals behind the hoax and demand the removal of the defamatory content from all online spaces.

One widely shared post falsely claimed that Foden’s six-year-old son, Ronnie, had passed away, while another alleged that his four-year-old daughter, True, was suffering from cancer. These fabricated stories, shared by fake fan accounts posing as Manchester City supporters, caused Foden’s name to trend online as sympathetic fans unknowingly sent condolence messages.

Reacting to the incident, Cooke, who shares three children with Foden, took to Instagram to denounce the disturbing fabrications, calling them “sickening.”

“We are aware of the pages and accounts spreading these lies. They are completely false and very disturbing,” she wrote. “I don’t understand how people can make up such stories about anyone, especially about children. It’s truly disgusting.”

She also assured followers that the family was in good health and urged the public to report any accounts promoting the falsehoods. “Thank God we are all fine, and thank you for your concern,” she added.


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Crime

Police Recover Two Luxury Cars Stolen From Netherlands

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Nigeria Police Force has recovered two luxury vehicles stolen from the Netherlands and shipped illegally into the country, officials said Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Police said the cars — a 2020 Toyota C-HR and a 2019 Toyota RAV4 — were traced to locations in Lagos and Akwa Ibom states. The vehicles were stolen from Amsterdam and the Midden-Nederland region before being transported through Belgium’s Port of Antwerp and arriving at the Apapa Port in Lagos late last year.

The operation was coordinated by the Nigeria Police Force’s National Central Bureau (NCB) of INTERPOL in Abuja, working closely with its Dutch counterpart in The Hague. After weeks of tracking and intelligence exchange, the two cars were located and seized during separate operations in southern Nigeria.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the recovery was the result of a joint investigation with international partners. “The successful recovery and repatriation of the vehicles reflect the Force’s firm commitment to global law enforcement cooperation and to ensuring that criminal networks involved in cross-border vehicle theft and smuggling are denied the proceeds of their crimes,” Hundeyin said in a statement.

Following the recovery, the police filed for civil forfeiture at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court granted a final order in favor of the Dutch government through the vehicles’ insurance company, authorizing the legal return of the property.

On Sunday, representatives of the insurance company and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria officially received the two vehicles at the INTERPOL NCB office in Abuja.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun commended the officers involved for their professionalism and effective collaboration with global partners. “This achievement underscores the importance of intelligence-led policing and the value of international cooperation in fighting transnational crimes,” he said.

Vehicle theft and smuggling remain major challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide. Experts say criminal syndicates often use complex routes — involving multiple countries and shipping channels — to conceal the origins of stolen vehicles. Nigeria, with its active maritime trade routes, has been identified as one of several African destinations for such illicit imports.

Authorities said the case demonstrates how close coordination between national and international agencies can lead to successful recovery and restitution. The NPF added that it will continue to strengthen monitoring systems at ports and improve vehicle registration checks to prevent similar incidents.

Legal analysts also noted that the case highlights the growing effectiveness of mutual assistance between Nigeria and European nations in handling cross-border property crimes. By securing a court-ordered forfeiture before repatriation, officials ensured transparency and compliance with international standards.

For the victims in the Netherlands, the return of the vehicles marks the conclusion of a months-long recovery process. It also sends a warning to criminal groups that the long arm of international law enforcement is closing in on global car theft networks.

The Nigeria Police said it remains committed to deepening cooperation with INTERPOL member countries and other law enforcement agencies worldwide to tackle crimes that cross borders. Officials added that similar joint operations are underway to track additional stolen assets potentially smuggled into the country.

The successful recovery of the two vehicles, police say, is not only a victory for the victims but also a demonstration of Nigeria’s growing capacity to engage in complex international policing operations.

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Crime

EFCC Warns “Yahoo Boys” Turning to Spiritual Rituals

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Lagos, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a strong warning Monday to internet fraudsters, known locally as “Yahoo boys,” saying they are now using spiritual rituals to boost their scams.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a post on its official X account (formerly Twitter), the EFCC said, “G-boys are now going spiritual, involving themselves in rituals and making it the new usual. EFCC will come for any individual. Then, it won’t be business as usual.”

Authorities described this trend, sometimes called “Yahoo Plus,” as involving occult practices — including the use of human body parts — to improve the success of fraudulent schemes. Investigators say some scammers believe these rituals will protect them from law enforcement.

The EFCC said the warning comes as cybercrime in Nigeria evolves. For years, “Yahoo boys” have defrauded victims abroad through romance scams, phishing, fake online identities, and other digital fraud methods. Now, the agency says, scammers are combining these tactics with ritual practices.

Although no new arrests were immediately linked solely to ritual-based fraud, the EFCC pointed to ongoing prosecutions where spiritual elements were reportedly involved. In one case in Jos, Plateau State, a bishop and others are facing trial for running a cooperative-investment scam.

The commission urged banks, telecom companies, and the public to help identify suspicious transactions and warned citizens to avoid individuals promising quick wealth or spiritual assistance.

Experts say the addition of ritual practices signals a dangerous escalation in Nigeria’s cyber-fraud landscape. Combining fraud with occult practices may indicate deeper organized crime networks and complicate investigations. Some observers also warn that victims may be afraid to come forward, making prosecutions harder.

Civil society groups welcomed the EFCC’s alert but stressed the need for follow-through. “Issuing warnings is important,” said an anti-fraud advocate in Lagos. “But what matters is arrests, prosecutions, and asset recovery.”

The EFCC said it will increase surveillance of digital platforms, work with traditional and spiritual authorities, and expand international cooperation to combat fraud. It also plans to release guidelines for banks and telecom operators to identify transactions linked to ritual-based scams.

The agency made it clear that the era of “business as usual” for internet fraudsters is over. Law enforcement officials said those involved in cybercrime, with or without ritual backing, will face prosecution.

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