Meulaboh (Antara) – A commander of Aceh's separatist movement has surrendered to the Indonesian military, reportedly disillusioned by the rebel group's extortion and kidnapping activities, a military officer said here Thursday.

Darman alias Maman, 25, surrendered last Tuesday in Woyla subdistrict in western Aceh. "He surrendered on his own," spokesman of the Teuku Umar Regional Military Command Maj. Bakti Djamaluddin said.

According to Darman, he surrendered because he no longer agreed with the movement's activities, which only made people's lives miserable, Bakti said. He further quoted Darman as saying that the movement's struggle was no longer justified as it was "more for personal interest and for enriching themselves".

The rebel also called on his friends to surrender. Darman, who surrendered his AK-47, is in the custody of West Aceh Police for further questioning.

At least 80 rebels have surrendered to security authorities in West and South Aceh since martial law was declared in Aceh last May 19.

Aceh has been put under martial law as part of the Indonesian overnment's efforts to crush the separatist movement and end the decades-long bloodshed in the country's westernmost province.