Metro

Demand For Used Bras Soars In Lagos

Published

6 months ago

March 22, 2025

Editor

That the second-hand underwear market in Lagos is experiencing significant growth is not news.

What is news, perhaps, is the rising demand for used bras.

Some women say that their decisions when buying bras are based on some factors which include affordability, durability, and quality.

Many say they go for the fairly used bras, popularly known as “Okrika”, because they are mostly available, affordable and durable.

Apart from busy markets such as Tejuosho, Balogun and Katangowa, in Lagos State, thrift bras can be found in smaller markets, stores and from roadside traders.

Mrs Peace Okeke, also known as ‘Lady Bra’ among her customers in Festac Town, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state, says she has been in the trade for more than 18 years.

According to Okeke, since she has been in the business, many of her customers have come to trust high quality and first grade thrift bras.

Okeke, who sells both thrift and new bras, says for those seeking affordability, durability and comfort, these first grade second-hand bras are increasingly popular option.

“I have been in the business for the past 18 years, and I have seen how people’s preferences changed.

“Most people prefer it. One, it’s durable, long-lasting, when in use. Secondly, it’s cheap, it’s affordable. Anybody can afford it,” she said.

She notes that new bras, particularly from top-tier international brands, can cost between N15,000 and N50,000, or more, for one, but the thrift bras offering similar quality are available for as low as N5,000.

“People buy the new ones but for the average person, especially those with limited income, they can get thrift bras for N5,000 comfortably.

“You can as well get three bras for the same price as one new bra, and they will last as long as you need them to,” she explains.

While some may hesitate to buy second-hand bras, especially due to social stigma or concerns over hygiene, Okeke stresses the value in opting for thrift items.

She says thrift bras are the better choice for those on a budget.

“The economic situation in the country is hard. Some people have the money to get that of N15,000 or N20,000.

“I will advise those that cannot afford to, instead of spending N15,000 on one bra, you can use that N15,000 to get three good bras.

“They will last you as long as you want without spoiling, unless you decide to change your underwear,” she said.

On the hygiene aspect, Okeke says washing them properly with warm water and salt is the simple solution.

She says her customers have not reported any issues with hygiene and infections, and that some even use the same cleaning method for thrift underwear, which she says sells in large quantities.

“Even people go as far as using it to wash thrift pants and they wear it. No germs. No diseases,” she says.

Also, Mrs Aisha Lawal, a trader at Orile Market, says the economic hardship has pushed many women to seek out thrift bras as an alternative.

“I sell both new and fairly used bras but the fairly used ones sell faster, and many women prefer them because they are stronger, cheaper and last longer than the new ones,” she says.

Lawal, who has been in the business for over 15 years says with as low as N1,500 to N2,000, customers can get a good quality thrift bra while the new one of the same quality will cost N20,000 or more.

She says durability and affordability is the selling point of thrift bras.

“Unlike many new bras that can lose their elasticity and quality quickly, especially cheaper mass-produced ones, thrift bras often sourced from reputable regions like the UK, are known for their resilience.

“Even those with larger busts, often overlooked in mainstream stores, can find a well-fitting and long-lasting bra from thrift stores at a reasonable price.”

Lawal also advises buyers to soak their thrift bras in hot water and disinfectant before washing to get rid of any germs.

Acknowledging the source of quality bras, Lawal says, “some of these fairly used bras come from the UK and USA, and they are of better quality than the cheap, new ones.”

Again, one of the concerns of people are hygiene and proper care about second-hand items, especially underwear.

According to Mrs Olayemi Adebayo, she buys thrift bras that are in good condition because they are more affordable and most times better than the new ones.

Adebayo says she has not had issues with hygiene because she washes it properly before use.

Mrs Tolu Adebiyi, who is a banker, however says that apart from quality, hygiene and perception of used items are major considerations for her when buying underwear.

“I only buy new bras. I believe undergarments should be personal and new. I don’t feel comfortable wearing something that someone else has used.

“I understand that fairly used bras are more affordable but I will rather save and buy new ones,” she says.

Remilekun Moses, a lingerie businesswoman, says thrift trends will not impact underwear brands in the market.

“They have their market share and offer more stylish and sensual designs using lluxury fabrics,’’ she says.

According to Moses, who is a digital marketer, the local and international underwear brands are expanding their reach by targeting the middle and upper class through social media.

Thrift is becoming more than just a trend, it is a lifestyle for many.

People are increasingly turning to second-hand goods, not only to save money but also because they are often made with higher quality materials that last longer.

For many, thrift bras are no longer seen as second-rate option but as smart, practical solution that deliver both quality and affordability.

Source: Vanguard

Metro

Abuja Court Jails Ex-legislative Aide For N120m Fraud

Published

4 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi on Monday sentenced a former legislative aide and banker, Mr Goni Yilkan, to eight years in prison for obtaining N120.58 million by false pretence.

Justice F. E. Messiri found Yilkan guilty of a two-count employment scam charge, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed in a statement issued via its X handle on Tuesday.

“Yilkan, who hails from Nguru, Yobe State, was found guilty on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, and consequently sentenced to eight years imprisonment without option of fine,” the statement read.

According to EFCC, the convict was arraigned alongside one Mohammed Adamu in October 2023, following investigations into a petitioner’s claims of being defrauded by the convict.

One of the charges read: “That you, Mohammed Goni Yilkan, Mohammed Adamu and others at large between 3rd January 2020 and December 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N120, 580, 550 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Five Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira) from Mrs. Hindatu Bello under the false pretence that you had the capacity to secure jobs for her candidates in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

In the course of the trial, EFCC said the petitioner explained that “Yilkan deceived her between 2020 and 2021 into believing that he had the capacity to secure employment slots in government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“On this strength, the petitioner collected varying sums of money from over 60 jobseekers, amounting to N120,580,550.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Five Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira), which she allegedly remitted to the convict.”

However, the purported employment offers never materialised, prompting Bello to petition the EFCC.

The prosecution, led by Cosmas Ugwu, called six witnesses and tendered documentary evidence, while the defence, led by J.A. Oguche, presented two witnesses, including Yilkan himself.

In his judgment, Justice Messiri held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicted Yilkan, but discharged and acquitted his co-defendant, Adamu.

The judge further sentenced Yilkan to eight years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

Earlier, The PUNCH reported that the EFCC Ilorin Zonal Directorate arrested 28 suspected internet fraudsters in Kwara State.

The suspects, according to a statement on Monday, “were picked up in the early hours of Tuesday during sting operations carried out in Tanke, University Road, Oshin, and Agbabiaka areas of the state capital.”

Metro

Soldiers Who Sold Arms To Terrorists Sentenced To Death

Published

4 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

A special court-martial of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Borno State, has sentenced three soldiers to life imprisonment and another to 15 years for illegal arms deals carried out in connivance with police officers and terrorists.

The trial, presided over by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), took place at the Officers’ Mess of the Theatre Command Headquarters in Maiduguri.

Delivering judgment, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, president of the court-martial, pronounced Raphael Ameh, a sergeant; Ejiga Musa, a sergeant; and Patrick Ocheje, a lance corporal, guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Omitoye Rufus, a corporal, was however handed a 15-year jail term.

The soldiers were convicted of offences ranging from theft and unlawful dealing in ammunition to aiding the enemy, all punishable under the Armed Forces Act.

Ameh, who served as an armourer at the 7 Division Garrison, was found to have conspired with a deceased colleague to steal ammunition from the division’s armoury.

He worked with police officers to conceal weapons in bags of beans and smuggle them to Enugu and Ebonyi for criminals.

Abdullahi revealed that bank records linked Ameh to over 100 suspicious transactions between July 2022 and June 2024.

Musa, while serving as armourer of 195 Battalion, was discovered to have collaborated with Ocheje and police officers in selling an AK-47 rifle and large quantities of ammunition.

Records showed he collected more than ₦500,000 from the transactions before he was arrested while attempting to sell more ammunition.

Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition to a police officer, while Ocheje, who was deployed at the forward operating base in Molai, was found guilty of diverting ammunition during communal clashes at the instigation of a police officer.

He also stole an AK-47 rifle belonging to a colleague.

The court held that their actions directly endangered military operations and national security, amounting to aiding the enemy.

Condemning the convicts, Abdullahi described them as “bad eggs” who betrayed the trust, discipline, and honour expected of soldiers in the fight against insurgency.

He restated the army’s zero-tolerance stance on the sale of arms or ammunition to adversaries “in whatever form or guise.”

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.