Nigeria's female Dragon Squad fight stereotypes - in pictures

Team of bouncers gives plus-size women chance to excel in male-dominated field

Nsikan Ekandem, Tolulope Ukpanah, 39, Margaret Thomas and Samantha Joseph, 27, members of the female-only security team Dragon Squad Limited, train during an exercise session at Camp Gee Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, November 18, 2022. Founded in 2018, Emem Thomas, 37, only employs women of a certain weight and shape, creating a safe space for plus-size women to excel in a field that is traditionally male-dominated. "My team is all about plus-size ladies," she explained. "If you have the plus-size body then that is cool for me, before I now talk about your passion and other qualifications," she said. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja SEARCH "ADELAJA DRAGON SQUAD" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Ms Thomas, 37, only employs women of a certain weight and shape. 'If you have the plus-size body then that is cool for me, before I now talk about your passion and other qualification of yours,' she said

The squad's 43 recruits have provided security at about 2,000 events including parties, funerals and political rallies

In addition to walkie-talkies, boots and dark glasses, the bouncers carry pepper spray

Peace Vigorous, 23, said: 'Before I joined Dragon Squad, I was thinking women could only do tailoring work'

The women have acquired skills, strength and, most importantly, confidence

Ms Thomas, from the city of Uyo, no longer considers herself an introvert or shies away from events

The Dragon Squad has also led her to become an advocate for girls' and women's rights. Nigeria has one of the world's highest rates of sexual assault

'When we started, we had difficulties to make the society believe that as women we can actually conduct and operate on event security' said Ms Thomas

Ms Thomas believes female bouncers 'have a way of taking off danger' by listening to troublemakers and victims, in a way that most men do not have patience for

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