Suspect Arrested After Fatal Stabbing at Ethiopia’s National Archives

Addis Ababa police have arrested a suspect accused of fatally stabbing a woman four times inside the compound of the National Library and Archives of Ethiopia in the capital, according to a police statement reported by Addis Police.

The incident occurred at around 8:10pm on October 6, 2026, in Lideta sub-city’s Woreda 7, police said. The suspect, identified as Eyob Endale, was apprehended within 48 hours through a technology-assisted operation conducted in coordination with the Information Network Security Administration.

According to Commander Hailu Umnesa, head of the Addis Ababa Police homicide investigation directorate, the suspect told investigators that he had known the victim, identified as Yordanos Ambelu, for more than a year and that they had been in a romantic relationship.

The suspect allegedly told police that changes in the victim’s behaviour and her shift from phone calls to text messages had led him to suspect she was involved with someone else.

He said they had arranged to meet near the Qera area at around 4pm before travelling to the National Library and Archives. According to the police account, the suspect bought a kitchen knife used for chopping onions and concealed it while waiting for her after she arrived late.

The suspect told investigators that an argument broke out when they sat down to talk inside the compound. He allegedly said he feared the victim might attack him with help from another person and stabbed her four times with the knife he had purchased.

Police said the suspect switched off his phone and fled the compound after the attack. He initially travelled towards Mojo, reportedly intending to continue to Hawassa, but later switched his phone back on and returned to the Kaliti area of Addis Ababa, where authorities tracked him down.

Four security guards at the compound were also taken into custody for investigation after allegedly failing to search the suspect when he entered and failing to take the injured woman to nearby Black Lion Specialized Hospital for medical treatment, Commander Hailu said.

Police also detained 36 people who were inside the compound at the time of the incident as part of the investigation. The suspect’s father was investigated over an alleged attempt to help his son evade arrest but was subsequently released on bail by a court, according to the police official.

Addis Ababa police urged the public to resolve disagreements through dialogue and warned that failing to intervene in a crime or help an injured person obtain medical assistance could result in criminal liability.

Source: FSX Business News