January 12, 2023

For years, Emem Thomas’ body drew sneers from slimmer classmates in southern Nigeria that shook her confidence and natural friendliness.

As teasing and taunts marred her teenage years, she gave up dreams of entering a local beauty pageant.

She then found a niche that embraced what Thomas now proudly calls her “plus-sized” body type: the “Dragon Squad Limited,” a team of bouncers.

“I love what I see dragons in movies,” she said. “They are also a symbol of power and protection.”

Founded in 2018, Thomas only employs women of a specific weight and shape to create a safe space for plus size women to excel in a traditionally male-dominated field.

“My team is all about plus-size women,” she explained. “If you have the plus size body then that’s cool to me before I talk about your passion and other qualifications.”

The Dragon Squad’s 43 recruits have worked as security guards at about 2,000 events, including house parties, funerals, political rallies and club nights.

“People expect us to be in the kitchen or probably do makeup and other female roles, but joining this squad really enlightened me,” said 23-year-old bouncer Peace Vigorous, the youngest of the crew.

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

We “always keep an eye on the risk of being harassed at work,” said Thomas.

“We always prepare for it” and for “men to look down on us”.

“Face the Crowd”

On an early, overcast morning, Thomas led the bouncer through a sweaty fitness session in a parking lot.

The women have gained skills, strength and, most importantly for Thomas, confidence.

“Most of them… were always shy. They couldn’t speak,” she said, noting that she, too, was becoming an introvert because of her weight.

Behavior that attracts attention, such as standing in front of a crowd and giving orders, can be particularly challenging for women who are used to avoiding the public eye.

“Face the crowd and be yourself,” Thomas tells them as they falter. “You shall be seen and known.”

Thomas’ newfound confidence has transformed her social and family life in the town of Uyo, where the 37-year-old lives with her two children.

She no longer considers herself an introvert or avoids events.

The Dragon Squad also got her involved in campaigning for girls’ and women’s rights.

Gender-based violence is rampant in Nigeria, which has one of the highest rates of sexual assault in the world. Jihadist groups in the north are known for kidnapping girls and women and using them for sex work and forced labour.

For Thomas, change means “breaking the barrier” to show what women bring to all sectors of society.

She believes bouncers “have a way of eliminating danger” by listening to troublemakers and victims in a way most men have no patience for.

“I see no reason why women shouldn’t be given a chance.”

REUTERS