Six people died and 15 others reached safety when a canoe overturned in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Sunday.
The canoe carried about 40 passengers and flipped in Malamawa village around 4 pm.
Officials say the vessel held too many people for the trip.
Jigawa State Commissioner for Special Duties Auwal Sankara confirmed the numbers.
He added that teams continue to search the water for those still missing.
Rescue workers from the state emergency agency stayed on scene through the night.
Authorities have not yet released the full list of names or the exact number still unaccounted for.
Local leaders urge boat operators to follow safety rules on the waterways.
Similar incidents happen in the area when vessels carry extra passengers.
Search efforts go on as families wait for updates.
