The Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy has said churches lack the capacity to identify fake or adulterated anointing oil, urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to intensify its regulatory role.

The clerics spoke in reaction to the recent discovery of an illegal Goya oil production facility in Lagos by NAFDAC officials.

Goya oil is widely used in churches as anointing oil for prayers, healing and spiritual protection.

It is also used as a premium culinary oil for cooking, frying, salad dressings and as a natural skin moisturiser.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the International Secretary of the organisation, Osazee William, commended NAFDAC for the operation, describing it as timely and commendable.

He said, “God bless NAFDAC officials for such a wonderful discovery. This shows that NAFDAC is rising to the occasion.”

According to him, many churches make use of Goya oil for prayers, explaining that once prayers are said over it, it becomes anointing oil.

The cleric stressed that it was the responsibility of regulatory agencies to ensure products circulating in the market are safe.

“It is not possible for churches to be looking out for fake oil when people brought to the church. As you are aware, God can even use water to anoint a person, not only oil.

“So, the simple truth is that, just as NAFDAC has done now, it is their duty to fish out all those producing adulterated products,” he added.

NAFDAC had on Friday warned Nigerians against using Goya oil sold in plastic (PET) bottles, describing them as fake and unsafe for consumption.

The warning was issued during a media parley at the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate office in Lagos.

Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said Goya oil sold in PET bottles was not licensed by NAFDAC.

“Goya oil sold in plastic bottles is fake. The only approved product is imported in original bottles by authorised dealers,” he said.

He disclosed that the agency uncovered a large-scale illegal factory producing fake Goya oil at Oke-Arin market in Idumota, Lagos.

According to him, burnt palm oil was mixed with colouring agents and repackaged as Goya oil for unsuspecting consumers.

“We discovered a factory producing fake Goya oil. Palm oil, colouring, stoves and empty bottles were recovered at the site,” he said.

Iluyomade warned that many Nigerians were unknowingly using the harmful product packaged in plastic bottles, urging religious organisations to stop the sale of PET-bottled Goya oil during gatherings.

He warned that offenders would be prosecuted and appealed to the public to report suspected counterfeiting activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Iluyomade further disclosed that a suspect, Moses Nelson, was arrested in connection with the distribution of adulterated and counterfeit alcoholic drinks.

He said empty exotic alcohol bottles, sachets and PET-bottled alcohol were recovered from the suspect’s residence in Badagry, Lagos State.

The NAFDAC director warned counterfeiters to desist, assuring that the agency would continue to pursue those endangering Nigerians’ health in the name of quick profit.