Nigeria's female bouncers show their strength fighting stereotypes

Enobong Udofia, 26, a member of the female-only security team Dragon Squad Limited, stands guard at a funeral event in Etinan, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, November 19, 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

AKWA IBOM, Nigeria (Reuters) - For years, Emem Thomas' body drew snarky remarks from slimmer classmates in southern Nigeria that shattered her confidence and natural affability.

As teasing and taunts marred her teenage years, she gave up on dreams like competing in a local beauty pageant.