Crime
NCC Storms Ibadan Bookshops, Arrests Suspects in Major Piracy Crackdown
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.
According to Nivo News, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed 5,000 new members in Abia State on Saturday, following the recent entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass defection was led by Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Accord Party, in his hometown of Umuaku, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. Supporters who joined him also left their former political affiliations, including the South East Mandate for Good Governance, to align with the ADC.
Nwankpa explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a strong conviction, noting that the party’s manifesto resonates with his political philosophy, emphasizing people-oriented governance, social justice, and sustainable development. He described the ADC as a credible, progressive platform capable of fostering inclusive governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigerian politics.
The Abia State Chairman of the ADC, Don Norman Obinna, formally welcomed Nwankpa and his followers, stating that the country’s political trajectory is increasingly favoring the ADC.
The Abia State Police Command has reported the arrest of 809 suspects and the recovery of 88 firearms in 438 cases across the state from January 2025 to date.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa provided the update on Friday during a briefing at his office, outlining the operational strategies and achievements of the Command during the period under review. He disclosed that 435 rounds of ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals and that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, with several jailed for various offenses.
The CP further revealed that 33 children who had been kidnapped or trafficked were rescued within and outside the state, with the suspects involved prosecuted and some already imprisoned. “We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” Isa stated.
He highlighted that the state’s crime rate has declined under his leadership, attributing the success to support from Governor Alex Otti, provision of logistics, and collaboration with community stakeholders. Isa also noted that officers encountered non-state actors on several occasions, who were neutralized and disarmed.
The Police Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities to further strengthen the fight against crime. Firearms and other weapons recovered from suspects were displayed at the Police headquarters in Umuahia for the media.
According to Nivo News, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has arrested high-profile cybercrime suspects linked to a sophisticated Microsoft 365 phishing operation that targeted the email systems of major corporate organisations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests followed actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation in the United States through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which exposed the deployment of an advanced phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365. The toolkit was designed to create counterfeit Microsoft login pages capable of harvesting user credentials and unlawfully accessing corporate, financial, and educational email platforms.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the cybercrime centre launched a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI, and the United States Secret Service. He explained that investigations traced multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access recorded between January and September 2025 to phishing emails crafted to closely mimic legitimate Microsoft authentication portals.
According to police findings, the cyberattacks resulted in business email compromise, data breaches, and significant financial losses across several jurisdictions. Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives conducted targeted operations in Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Searches carried out at their residences yielded laptops, mobile phones, and other digital devices, which forensic analysis directly linked to the fraudulent activities.
Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known by the aliases “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and alleged developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel through which phishing links were sold in exchange for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.
The police clarified that there was no evidence connecting the two other arrested individuals to the creation or management of the phishing scheme. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s digital environment through the use of advanced technology, enhanced international cooperation, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes aimed at combating evolving cyber threats.
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