The Nigerian Copyright Commission, on Saturday, raided several bookshops selling pirated books in Uyo and seized books worth N23.1 million.

Some of the outlets raided were: AB Achison Bookshop, God’s Own Bookshop, Academic Needs Bookshop, Zion Bookshop all in Uyo metropolis and POP Bookshop at Abak in Akwa Ibom.

Speaking during the operation, the director general of NCC, Dr John Asein, said the exercise was part of the ongoing anti-piracy operation in the country.

He said it was the commission’s effort to curtail piracy activities in Uyo and its environs.

Asein, was represented by the Deputy Director of Operations, Mr Macfoy Akachukwu, who led operation.

He disclosed that the mission was to rid the nation of pirated works and instill a sound copyright regime in the nation.

He listed the books seized during the raid to include: Basic Civic Education by Dr Merry Ukaegbu, Spectrum New Further Mathematics by T.R. Moses and Essential Christian Religious Study for Senior Secondary Schools by Orovwuje B.O and Okolie E.U.

Others books are: Macmillan Brilliant English for Junior Secondary Schools by Wale Ossianwo, New General Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools by S. Ajayi and others.

The DG said other books seized included: New Oxford Secondary English Course for Secondary Schools by Ayo Banjo and New Concept Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools by H.N. Odogwu and others.

He stated that books seized were those in the stables of major publishers like Evans, UPL, Lantern, Longman, TONAD, Pearson among others.

“What we have done is part of the commissions mandate to protect and promote the rights of authors and other genuine investors in the copyright book industry.

“It is our duty to ensure that authors get rewards for their creative work. I have under my watch, zero tolerance for piracy and infringement of Copyright Laws,” Mr Asein said.

He added that the commission would continue its war against piracy to enable the authors and the creative industry to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the nation’s economy.

The director general further said that the suspects would be charged to serve as deterrent to others.

Mr Asein stated that the commission would not do it alone.

He, therefore, appealed to the public to support the commission with credible information that would assist in its fight against piracy in the country.

(NAN)