The death toll from a boat accident in northeastern Nigeria's Yobe state has risen to eight as search operations continue.

According to Premium Times, a local news outlet, two boats that were travelling on Saturday afternoon to Babangida weekly market capsized in a flood wave.

It remains unclear how many passengers were on the boats at the time of the mishap.

Eight other people were rescued and are admitted in hospital for treatment.

"The number of dead bodies recovered so far is 8 but our local divers are still working on recovering more bodies from the accident," Premium Times quotes Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA).

Boat accidents make news headlines occasionally in the West African country, with the blame laid on overcrowding and poor maintenance of the boats.

In July, at least 17 people, including children, drowned after a boat capsized in Lagos.

Yobe State Governor Mai Buni urged people travelling by road or water to always be cautious.