The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Gloria Anetor Ubong-Okulaja, with 9.45kg of cannabis at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The arrest occurred on October 21, 2026, after she arrived on a United Airlines flight from Houston, Texas, ValidViewNetwork reports.
THE ARREST
According to the NDLEA, Ubong-Okulaja, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, who holds both Nigerian and United States passports, was arrested during an operation at the airport.
A search of her two checked-in boxes revealed 18 parcels of cannabis, popularly known as “loud,” weighing 9.45kg. The substance was concealed with gift-wrapping paper inside one of the boxes .
THE SUSPECT’S CLAIM
Ubong-Okulaja allegedly told investigators that her daughter and her daughter’s future brother-in-law had delivered the box to her home in the United States for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.
The NDLEA said investigations are ongoing to establish the full chain of those allegedly involved in the shipment, including the intended recipients in Nigeria .
THE SOCIALITE CONNECTION
On Facebook, the suspect operates under the handle “Glow Okulaja,” where she is described as “Mrs Okulaja.” The name has generated public attention online because of its association with Demola Okulaja.
The report noted that it could not be authenticated whether she was legally married to Prince Demola Okulaja or was his partner.
Demola Okulaja was previously married to skincare guru Farida Sobowale, who attempted suicide in 2023 when she wanted to jump into the lagoon below the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.
The NDLEA has not stated that the suspect is married to Demola Okulaja, and the agency identified her by her full name, Gloria Anetor Ubong-Okulaja. She remains in NDLEA custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution.
THE WIDER OPERATION
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA’s special operations unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in Eti-Osa on October 23. Officers recovered 5,820 diazepam pills, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7kg of skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies .
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain their efforts against drug trafficking .
WHY IT MATTERS
The arrest of a 62-year-old grandmother with nearly 10kg of cannabis is a reminder that drug trafficking is not confined to young men or hardened criminals. It cuts across age, gender, and social status.
For Ubong-Okulaja, the allegation is grave.
For the NDLEA, the case is another victory in its ongoing war against drug trafficking through Nigeria’s busiest airport.
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And for the public, the name “Glow Okulaja” will now be associated with more than social media posts and socialite circles.
The investigation continues. The suspect remains in custody. And the question of who else was involved in the shipment remains unanswered. ValidViewNetwork reports.