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Nigerian Gangsters Wage Turf War on Mob in Southern Italy

Turf battles erupt as newcomers seek foothold in lawless southern Italy

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 7, 2009 9:13 AM CST

(Newser) – African immigrants are being caught in the crossfire as Nigerian gangsters battle the Italian mob for control of southern Italy's drug and prostitution rackets, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Camorra once treated African criminals as useful subordinates, but vicious turf wars have erupted as the newcomers seek a bigger slice of the crime pie.

Things came to a head late last year when a mob hit squad seeking revenge on a Nigerian drug dealer gunned down six other Africans in a clothing shop. The government sent in hundreds of troops. Some believe the new scrutiny in the lawless region around Naples may ultimately ease some of the social problems that lead to crime.

Forensic police look at the body of one of the six immigrants killed in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.
Forensic police look at the body of one of the six immigrants killed in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.   (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)
Immigrants protest following the murder of six Africans in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.
Immigrants protest following the murder of six Africans in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.   (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)
Immigrants protest following the slaying of six Africans in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.
Immigrants protest following the slaying of six Africans in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.   (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)
Immigrants react following the slaying of six Africans, one of them lying on the ground, in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.
Immigrants react following the slaying of six Africans, one of them lying on the ground, in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy, last year.   (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)
Italian Army Folgore paratroopers patrol the streets at a checkpoint in Castelvolturno, near Caserta, southern Italy, late last year.
Italian Army "Folgore" paratroopers patrol the streets at a checkpoint in Castelvolturno, near Caserta, southern Italy, late last year.   (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)
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It attracts illegal immigrants because there is a generalized culture of lawlessness. People don't pay taxes, they build illegally, they dump garbage illegally. People in this part of Italy have a problem
with rules. - A senior anti-crime official

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Jan 8, 2009 2:51 AM CST
The Italian mob against Nigerian mob...couldn't have seen that one coming.
 

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