Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Brings Down MovieBox.ng, Vows Aggressive Pursuit of Online Pirates

 

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken decisive action against digital piracy by successfully shutting down the notorious website, MovieBox.ng. This platform, long accused of distributing pirated movies, music, and sports content, has now been rendered inactive following a coordinated operation between the NCC and the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA).

The shutdown was officially executed on July 20, 2025, according to a public statement issued in Abuja by Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC. The Commission’s Director-General, Dr. John Asein, confirmed the takedown and emphasized that the operation forms part of a broader offensive under the recently launched "Stand Together Against Online Piracy (STOP)" initiative.

Aimed at protecting Nigeria’s thriving creative sector, the STOP campaign has garnered widespread support from stakeholders across the country’s film, music, and broadcast industries. The campaign underscores the urgency of safeguarding intellectual property in an age where digital access has enabled widespread unauthorized content distribution.

Digital pirates, according to Dr. Asein, have become increasingly sophisticated, often relying on multiple mirror sites and fallback domains to maintain access even after takedowns. MovieBox.ng, he explained, had employed such evasive tactics, using several domain variations linked to known piracy rings to stay operational despite previous attempts at disruption.

Thanks to swift coordination with NiRA, the domain associated with MovieBox.ng was promptly suspended. Dr. Asein praised NiRA’s responsiveness and called for greater vigilance and cooperation from internet service providers, hosting platforms, and domain registrars. He urged them to act quickly on future takedown requests, stressing that the Copyright Act of 2022 provides the legal framework to enforce such actions effectively.

“We are dealing with a digital underworld that thrives on exploiting creative content without authorization. These actors hide behind layers of digital infrastructure, but we are committed to dismantling their networks, one node at a time,” Asein said.

Beyond disabling the primary domain, the NCC has now shifted focus to identifying and disabling associated mirror sites. These backup platforms are frequently used by piracy outfits to bypass legal action and resume operations within days or even hours of a takedown.

The Commission reiterated that its surveillance efforts are ongoing and will target all digital footprints associated with the now-defunct MovieBox.ng. The goal is to disrupt the wider piracy ecosystem and protect both the rights of creators and the financial stability of Nigeria’s creative industries.

To complement these enforcement efforts, the NCC also released a public advisory warning consumers against using illegal streaming websites. The Commission highlighted that apart from the obvious violation of intellectual property rights, such sites pose serious risks to users, including exposure to malware, phishing attempts, identity theft, and other forms of cybercrime.

“Users need to understand that accessing pirated content is not a victimless act. Beyond breaking the law, they are often putting their personal data and financial information at risk,” said Egbunike.

She emphasized the need for public education, noting that many users are unaware of the legal and cybersecurity implications of patronizing these platforms. The NCC intends to roll out a series of awareness campaigns as part of the STOP initiative, aimed at informing citizens about the dangers of digital piracy and the importance of consuming licensed content.

As digital access continues to expand across Nigeria, the NCC believes that strong, coordinated action is essential to ensure the sustainability of the country’s creative economy. The shutdown of MovieBox.ng marks a significant milestone, but officials warn that it is only the beginning of a wider crackdown that will target other illicit websites and their operators.

Industry professionals, legal experts, and digital rights advocates have lauded the Commission’s efforts, viewing the takedown as a clear message that copyright infringement will no longer be tolerated. The coming months are expected to see further actions, as the NCC intensifies its commitment to rooting out digital piracy from Nigeria’s online spaces.

With new strategies, improved collaboration, and legal backing, the NCC has signaled its readiness to face the evolving challenges of online piracy head-on.

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