NCC Shuts Down MovieBox.ng in Major Crackdown on Online Piracy

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has successfully taken down MovieBox.ng, a website known for streaming pirated movies, music, and live sports content.

The domain was suspended on July 20, 2025, as confirmed in a statement released on Thursday by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike.

The move is part of a broader effort under the Commission’s “Stand Together Against Online Piracy (STOP)” campaign aimed at combating digital piracy in Nigeria.

NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asein, explained that MovieBox.ng employed various mirror domains and deceptive techniques to avoid shutdowns and continue promoting illegal content. He emphasized the platform’s connections to established piracy networks and commended NiRA for its swift action in suspending the domain.

“We are committed to identifying and disabling other mirror and fallback domains linked to this network,” Dr. Asein said, urging internet service providers, registrars, and online intermediaries to act promptly in response to future takedown requests in line with the Copyright Act, 2022.

The NCC also issued a strong public advisory warning users to avoid patronizing illegal streaming sites. Beyond copyright infringement, such platforms often expose users to cybersecurity risks including malware, identity theft, and financial fraud.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the intellectual property rights of creators and preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s creative industries.