Ogun traders clash with copyright enforcement team, NSCDC officers
Ogun traders clash with copyright enforcement team, NSCDC officers
Traders at Sabo Market in Sagamu on Thursday mobbed officials of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), led by the Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, preventing the enforcement team from leaving with confiscated bags of pirated books.
The crowd, reportedly incited by a young man said to be the husband of one of the book sellers caught with the illegal materials, threatened to set ablaze the commission’s operational vehicles, including one belonging to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The agitated traders also attacked NSCDC operatives who had been deployed to provide security during the raid.
Earlier, the NCC enforcement team had uncovered two bookshops inside the bustling market, seized the pirated books, and sealed off the outlets before being obstructed by the traders.
Speaking with journalists over the unfortunate incident, Mrs Oke said that she and her team were in the market to carry out the constitutional mandate of the NCC under the leadership of its Director General, Dr John Asein, only to be attacked by a mob instigated by a man believed to be the husband of one of the two women caught in the illegal business of selling pirated books.
She explained that the commission would not be intimidated and discouraged by the unprovoked attack, vowing that all those involved in aiding and abetting piracy in the market would soon be made to face the dire consequences.
Oke said, “We have actually successfully evacuated the pirated books. We have sealed up these shops, and we were about to leave the Sabo market when the husband of the owner of the shop organised some boys to come and attack us, and even the security operatives.
“They threatened to kill us, burn our vehicles, and even attacked us with charms. It was a clear display of lawlessness, despite the fact that we were only carrying out our constitutional duty to protect the economy and ensure that creators benefit from their hard work.
Piracy is economic sabotage that carries a minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. It destroys and discourages creativity while worsening unemployment.
Despite such unprovoked attacks and acts of brigandage like the one witnessed today at Sabo Market in Sagamu, the NCC, under the leadership of Dr. John Asein, remains committed to its mandate.
We call on all Nigerians to support government efforts in combating piracy, given its damaging impact on the economy and job creation.”
