Nigerian Gangsters Wage Turf War on Mob in Southern Italy

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. (More organized crime stories.)