The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated pirated works valued at over N4m during a raid on outlet stores selling videos and musical works in Ilorin.
Mrs Justina Akinwumi, Head, Ilorin Liaison Office of the commission, made this known on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the commission in the state
.
Akinwumi, said that the commission arrested five persons involved in the piracy activities during the raid.
“Nigerian Copyright Commission has zero tolerance for piracy and all the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to book,” she added.
Akinwumi, who described the activities of pirates in the country as alarming, declared that NCC would spare no effort to bring the activities to the barest minimum.
“Activities of pirates in the country have assumed an alarming dimension and there is the need to put a lasting solution to the menace,” Akinwumi said.
The NCC head said the five suspects were arrested for illegal production and circulation of pirated optical discs at various locations in Ilorin.
“Copyright Inspectors backed by armed policemen in an anti-piracy operation carried out at five suspected optical discs shops containing Nigerian and foreign musical and movies confiscated pirated works worth N4m,” she said.
She therefore warned all those engaged in the criminal activities of selling both foreign and local pirated video and musical works to desist from it or face the wrath of the law.
Akinwumi appealed to the people not to patronise or buy pirated works but should insist on genuine products, particularly video and musical works.
