Weeks after the National Film and Video Censors Board raided Alaba Market, Lagos and seized films worth millions of naira, it has carried out a similar exercise in Benin City, Edo State.

In the latest operation, the NFVCB seized uncensored and   unclassified films and video works, including pornographic films, also valued at millions of naira in the mid-western city.

The raid, which took place in collaboration with police officers, occurred in various locations in Benin.

The films seized include 20-in-1 video films, unclassified foreign films and pornographic materials

Some of the locations raided include the Oba Market Road, Ibiwe Street, Ebo Street, Upper Sokponba Road, Third Circular Road and Second Circular Road, all in Benin City.

According to an NFVCB  Assistant Director in Charge of Edo State, Ogbonna Onwumere, the raid will be extended to other parts of the state, including Ekpoma,  Auchi and Uromi.

He noted in a statement that, since the  resumption in office  of the new Executive Director of the Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, the board had  exhibited zero tolerance to uncensored and unclassified films as well as pornographic materials.

Onwumere said, “This, the NFVCB has shown by the raid of the once dreaded Alaba International Market in Lagos and other cities, such as Abuja and Kaduna.  The new mantra in the board is to sanitise the film market and ensure that Nigerian youths are not allowed to consume unwholesome video materials.”

“The board, by the raids, wants to ensure that owners of films and video works get value from their investments, thereby contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. It is also making a statement to investors that, as the regulator, the board has the primary duty of providing an enabling environment to them.”

The management of the agency has, however, challenged operators in the sector not to wait for it to raid their shops by ensuring that they purchase film products that are censored and classified. It also advised those arrested to regularise their registration with it.”

Source: Punch Newspapers